Gary Neville is braced for the most important pre-season
of his United career.
The defender not only has to prove his fitness after missing
almost the entire 2007/08 campaign, he also to oust the man who
replaced him as the Reds' regular right-back.
"I've got a number of challenges ahead of me and the ultimate one
is to try and get back into that team ahead of Wes (Brown)," said
Gary, in an exclusive interview with MUTV.
"That's going to be hard for me given the way Wes performed
last season. I would say he was in our top two or three most
consistent players. He was fantastic throughout the season and
deserved all the success he got.
"I can talk about my injuries and being out for 12 months, but Wes
has had two cruciate ligament injuries and been out for 12 months
twice. I know now where he was during those years and I appreciate
how difficult it is. And even though Wes is younger than
me, he is a great example to me of how you come back into the team
after an injury."
Neville's bid to get back into the team starts on Wednesday when
the Reds reconvene at Carrington, initially without
the men who represented their countries at Euro 2008.
"Pre-season is hugely important for every player but this time it's
massive for me as I try to break into a team that's won the
Double," said Gary. "And it's an even greater challenge
than normal for the team as we try to repeat the success of last
season."